L Dennis Smith

Members of an Asian-American student group at UC Irvine began a hunger strike and camp-out "vigil" Thursday in protest over what they see as the university's slow response to their longstanding demands for an Asian-American studies program. The students said they plan to live in tents outside UCI's Cross-Cultural Center and go without food in shifts for the next month, until the academic term ends.

Groups of students at UC Irvine mocked the actions of university officials and "mourned the death of public education" at two separate protests Wednesday. One group staged a play entitled "The Heinous Land Sale Power Lunch" to criticize UCI Acting Chancellor L. Dennis Smith and other officials for selling 25.2 acres of campus land for the construction of the San Joaquin Hills tollway.

Anticipating deep cuts in state funding, the UC Board of Regents on Friday authorized incentives for early retirement of senior faculty and staff and asked all other employees to voluntarily cut back their working hours and salary as much as 25%. William B. Baker, UC vice president for budget and university relations, said the staff-trimming moves are needed even though Gov. Pete Wilson and legislators are debating how to slash spending, including funding for the university system.

Regarding your editorial (June 12) about acting Chancellor L. Dennis Smith deserving credit for "Keeping the Lid On" at UC Irvine: As one of the student organizers at UCI, I must disagree. Is it true Dr. Smith authorized negotiations, but he certainly did not deserve the credit for "working out" an agreement. The students never even met with Smith. As a matter of fact, when the students first reached his office, we were told he was not in and could not be reached. We contended that it was impossible for a chancellor of a university not to be reached.

Brad Rothermel, one of two finalists for the job of athletic director at UC Irvine, has withdrawn from consideration because his demands for dramatically increased athletic funding will not be met, Rothermel said Monday night. The remaining finalist is Vic Cegles, an assistant athletic director at Arizona State.

A Fullerton couple has pledged a trust fund valued at more than $100,000 to create a much-needed biological sciences fellowship at UC Irvine, a university spokesman said Tuesday. The William D. Redfield Fellowship will provide research funds and expenses for a promising graduate student in the department of molecular biology and biochemistry beginning this fall, UCI spokesman Scott Nelson said. It is the first fellowship of its kind at UCI's School of Biological Sciences, and Dean L.

Frustrated over the lack of an Asian-American studies program after years of pleading, more than 200 protesting students occupied UC Irvine's administration building Thursday and marched on the chancellor's office to demand an audience. Demonstrators said that Asian-American students will no longer be ignored, particularly at UC Irvine, where they make up 43% of the school's 17,000-member student body.

Four people have made the final cut for the executive vice chancellor post at UC Irvine, the second-highest position at the university, officials said this week. A screening committee has narrowed the list from 150 down to one woman and three men, a UCI spokeswoman said. The candidates will visit the campus this spring to meet publicly with students, faculty and staff.

Brad Rothermel, former Nevada Las Vegas athletic director, is one of three finalists for the UC Irvine athletic director job. The others are Vic Cegles, an assistant athletic director for development at Arizona State, and Fairleigh Dickinson Athletic Director Roy Danforth. The three were among five candidates interviewed on campus last week, and they will return for second interviews beginning Monday, a university spokesman announced.

Aldrich Park at UC Irvine turned into an elite used car lot Sunday when exhibitors wheeled in more than 110 gleaming classic automobiles for the Newport Beach Concours d'Elegance. About 4,000 car buffs turned out to ogle the rare autos and picnic in the park at the 10th anniversary concours, a benefit for the Assessment & Treatment Services Center in Santa Ana. The $10-per-person event raised about $80,000 for the ATSC's Juvenile Diversion Program.